Novels FReepers Love (discussion)

April 4, 2004 | me

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Over at THIS THREAD, discussing Tom Clancy's movies, one FReeper lamented the lack of threads discussing books we all might like, like Clancy's, or those of Clive Cussler, Matt Reilly, Patrick Robinson...The list is almost endless, as writers with a conservative tilt have long produced works that appeal to a wide audience of Americans, not just conservatives.

So, ever willing to help out, herewith such a thread. I'm not totally motivated by altruism here, as I am working on my first book right now, and opinions matter to me. Also, I love discussing my favorite works. I started reading at the tender age of four, and kept most of the books I read starting with Treasure Island. I married an English Lit major, and even today I attempt to consume as many books as possible.

What say you , FReepers? Let's chew on some books, shall we?

[backhoe]

John D. McDonald Probably my favorite writer.

One of mine, too- I always wished he had gotten wider exposure and appreciation.

Forgot to mention Dean Koontz, Robert McCammon, Henry Kuttner ( and wife C.L. Moore ), Ted Sturgeon, L. Sprague De Camp... ears are venting smoke again, better stop-

[Long Cut]

I read The Stand, unabridged version, over 13 years ago in one marathon 12-hour session, cover to cover. I agree with your assesment.

[Tribune7]

Americans basically support the U.S. Constitution and those principles therein.

Especially the ones that read.

[Xenalyte]

They do, but in a believable, plausible way. I didn't find it jarring, and I need my fictional science to be realistic.

[stands2reason]

Sounds interesting --I'll put it on my list. I enjoy failed prophecy-type books.

[writer33]

"Especially the ones that read."


AMEN! And thinks for the compliment on the tagline. It just seems natural to me that way.

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ANY true S-F/fantasy fan should definetely read Robert E. Howard's original series of stories which introduced, and described the entire life of, Conan of Cimmeria.

He wrote those before Tolkien wrote LOTR, and it's safe to say he had as much influence as Tolkien, if not the publicity.

[backhoe]

Robert E. Howard

One of my favorites from long ago... so many of my books got lost, "borrowed" ( and never returned ) or left behind in moves that I am no doubt overlooking a lot of names & titles people here would remember.

[Tribune7]

One of mine, too- I always wished he had gotten wider exposure and appreciation.

I know. A couple of McGee books were made into movies and the TV one The Empty Coppper Sea starring Sam Elliott was pretty mediocre. I never saw Darker Than Amber, although I heard that was also mediocre.

Of course, Cape Fear (the original anyway) is a classic.

I can't belive they never tried more McGee movies or never made a film of Last One Left or One More Sunday which were works of art.

[Jeff Head]

Well, I really liked all of the following:

Enemies Foreign and Domestic by Freeper Travis McGee.

The Number of Infinity by Freeper PlusOne.

The Way of the Wolf from the Vampire Earth Series by Freeper snake65.

and am now reading Bargained for Exchange by Freeper Jim Macomber.

All of them better than most of what you can buy from any of the so called "leading" authors IMHO.

Jeff
Author of The Dragon's Fury Series of Novels.
A Techno-thriller series about the next World War.

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Thanks for the word, Jeff. Seems there's a LOT of FReepers who've "put pen to paper".

[fnord]

Second Matt's Enemies Foreign and Domestic

for satirical humor check out dead's Citizen Clinton, I think he's still selling them

For a wacky conspiracy read, check out the Illuminatus Trilogy

Dean Koontz has many to recommend - Watchers and Lightning particularly

A novel that I go back and re-read occasionally is Zen and the Art of Motorvycle Maintenance

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a classic humor ensemble.

enough about me ... I will peruse the thread and get more reading ideas :-)

[Jeff Head]

LC, pardon me, now since I have plugged my FR friends novels, for those who love a good techno-thriller...here's a BUMP for :

THE DRAGON'S FURY SERIES OF NOVELS
A techno-thriller series about the next World War

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Darker Than Amber was supposed to be the start of a whole series of Travis McGee movies, but it did so poorly that the idea died out. It was a case of the filmmaker's poor job being blamed on the source material, which happens quite frequently, unfortunately.

Have you ever seen the two Tony Rome movies with Frank Sinatra? I could've SWORN that those were direct Mcgee ripoffs with the names changed.

[PJ-Comix]

Over at THIS THREAD, discussing Tom Clancy's movies, one FReeper lamented the lack of threads discussing books we all might like, like Clancy's, or those of Clive Cussler, Matt Reilly, Patrick Robinson...

Um....For NEARLY TWO YEARS we have had a regular Freeper Reading Club thread discussions about books. Already we have discussed Homage To Catalonia, From Here To Eternity, Electric Acid Kool-Aid Test, First Circle, among others. Right now we are reading All The Kings Men. We have nearly 200 members who read and discuss the books on a schedule.

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PLUG AWAY! I've yet to read yours, I confess. They're on my list, though.

[PJ-Comix]

I'm seeing a lot of what I call "Popcorn Books" listed here. If you want to read books BOTH deep and interesting, then join the Freeper Reading Club. Great LITERATURE that will make you think. Unfortunately too many books have empty intellectual calories. I tried to avoid those books in the Freeper Reading Club assignments.

[Tribune7]

Tony Rome movies with Frank Sinatra

A long time ago even before I got into McGee. Of course, every now and then I'll see something in some dectective story which I swear comes right from McGee. The Rockford Files, I thought, had an occasional McGee flavor.

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Hey, I hope we didn't step on anyone's toes over your way, PJ. I didn't mean to, but if I did, I apologize.

Anyways, it seems that "popcorn books" are the ones most here are discussing right now. They're the ones we're all likeliest to have in common, after all.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I believe this one is #12........